My L7 Path of the Zealot Barbarian just got killed by the party as I didn't stand down while raging and they decided to "play both ends against the middle" between Rezmir the Black and Ralis Kasterel from Horde of the Dragon Queen. We disagreed. I died. Totally justified and in character. No hard feelings.
I'm now creating a L7 SorLock and am having difficulty with choosing spells, and wish to request the kind help from others.
I've taken the Elven Accuracy feat, and Agonizing Blast/Devil's Sight Warlock Invocations, Quick Spell and Subtle Spell Metamagic options, and Far Traveler background, (skills Deception/Insight/Perception/Persuasion). Use telepathy to stealthily talk, raven to spy (invisibility on raven too if needs be).
The theme is of a traveling assassin for Bhaal. Subtle spell for quick murders of low rank, longer range via Hunger of Hadar, and for more interesting combat use Darkness cast on myself (or object carried), then eldritch blast away gaining advantage (and triggering Elven Accuracy) on the targets. Worse case send in the raven to be killed by target, then get advantage for 24 hours.
As a more "party face-type" of character, the spells I have chosen are for more utility for roleplaying, falling back on more single target blasting combat.
Cantrips
Spare the Dying (Warlock, Raven Queen)
Dancing Lights (Half-Elf Drow)
Mage Hand (Sorcerer)
Mold Earth
Prestidigitation (Sorcerer)
Message (Sorcerer)
Friends (Sorcerer)
Eldritch Blast (Warlock)
Minor Illusion (Warlock)
Level 1
Arms of Hadar (Sorcerer, Aberrant Mind)
Dissonant Whispers (Sorcerer, Aberrant Mind)
False Life (Warlock, Raven Queen)
Sanctuary (Warlock, Raven Queen)
Faerie Fire (Half-Elf Drow, 1 per long rest)
Disguise Self (Sorcerer)
Absorb Elements (Sorcerer)
Hex (Warlock)
Charm Person (Warlock)
Shield (Warlock)
Level 2
Calm Emotions (Sorcerer, Aberrant Mind)
Detect Thoughts (Sorcerer, Aberrant Mind)
Darkness (Half-Elf Drow, 1 per long rest)
Darkness (Sorcerer)
Invisibility (Sorcerer)
Misty Step (Sorcerer)
Level 3
Hunger of Hadar (Sorcerer, Aberrant Mind)
Sending (Sorcerer, Aberrant Mind)
Blink (Sorcerer)
I've used blink with another game's sorcerer and it's proven to be very useful. I'd like Fireball, but being able to cast other spells save my own skin more easily seems to be more thematic. Mirror Image is good too,
small backstory question for you....how did your warlock of the raven queen end up being a travelling assassin for Bhaal? (assuming this is Bhaal the god/lord of murder).
Spell wise, Shadow Blade and Mind Spike form Xanathars Guide might be useful (Mind Spike only has a Somatic component so saves your sorcery points and enables some tracking abilities as you always know where the target is if they fail a save).
As I am still creating the character, the backstory is malleable. I can always adjust heme of the Aberrant Mind and associated spells to be Raven Queen-themed, death and horror, memories of the forgotten, of tragedy. She views everything through my eyes, and the raven-spirit granted by The Pact. Dispatch the bullies and other evil people, by a neutral evil character, who does it because he is out for money (profit vengeance), and the enjoyment that manipulation brings eventually brings bloodshed.
For instance, Hunger of Hadar creates a spherical gateway of utter darkness, like a partial sharing of space with the Far Realm. Instead of tentacles, you hear the whimpering screams of dying souls, people, sound of ravens cawing, scratching. The utter horror of the afterlife-made-real inflicts cold damage, and the fast movement of time and space with the hyper-timed experience decays everything touched (acid damage).
I've switched Friends to Mind Sliver for the possible silent damaging spell when cast subtly, Int save and negative to saving throw (hit with this before hitting with a party member's spell, Hunger of Hadar or Dissonant Whispers, quickened or not). Still might get rid of that just so I can take Mending.
The last game I played in with another character I was able to easily make some quick coin by visiting the armor/blacksmith and repair broken swords. For outright murder I can use minor illusion to create a booming voice of "Your past actions have come for you", then cast darkness on myself and attack (Devil's Sight Invocation). I can always use Dissonant Whispers for a similar effect, subtly cast.
Spare the Dying (Warlock, Raven Queen) - Look like a hero after you've silently killed someone from afar.
Mage Hand (Sorcerer) - Grab keys, drinks, raise the rope
Mold Earth - This works faster than an excavator. Bury them bodies FAST. Move earth to bar doors to buildings
Prestidigitation (Sorcerer) - This has so much general utility
Message (Sorcerer) - Talk with anyone. Look like you're talking to yourself. Go near the local jail or suffering, use the Raven to find someone within 100' (even cast invisibility on the raven), find poor soul that looks down in the dumps. Next, use message endlessly to talk to them, push them to go to a certain area, then blast them, set a trap, etc. Talk to several people to set them up for trouble. You're watching everything from a safe location through the raven. Hell, send the raven back to the tavern's window, and from 100' away cast Hunger of Hadar in the middle of the tavern.
Mind Sliver (Sorcerer) - Hurt your foes with a word. Subtle cast this V-only spell to make someone wonder how they got hurt, blame whomever they are talking to, etc. Might switch this to Mending. The guy who visits, fixing stuff, making himself seem amiable, making coin this way. Then again, adding in a bit of random crazy, Mind Slivering random small animals like a true psycho does have its appeal for roleplaying.
Eldritch Blast (Warlock) - Bread and butter of the SorLock
Minor Illusion (Warlock) - So many uses, from making it look like you left coin on the table when you left , making scary noises to distract, to even talking out of your buttocks by waving your hands. Play the part of a mute and use your "Talking Rock" and sound like anyone else. Ventriloquism turned to 11 on the awesome dial. When you leave the tavern and the door closes, insult everyone to start a fight. Make enough noise to distract from something else going on, etc.
Yes, I love villains. Here comes Quisling Dupont, half-elf drow from the other side of the world.
Doesn't mean that I can't be a player character. Whatever I can negotiate with anyone for money and the associated bloodshed.Doesn't mean that I can't be a player character. Whatever I can negotiate with anyone for money and the associated bloodshed.
I've completed the spells. Mending would have been a little more optimal, but the flavor of Mind Sliver was too compelling.
If you've played Hoard of the Dragon Queen, when the party can encounter Rezmir in her office.
This is where my new character introduction begins:
Rezmir cautiously looks you all over, and a slight smile crosses her face. With amusement and a hint of a tone of satisfaction in her voice, she addresses everyone.
“I see you have taken to reason, at least most of you have.” She glances at the bodies of your fallen, no, EXECUTED, comrades and continues.
“ I appreciate the, let’s say the discipline, you have shown. I will not have you summarily slaughtered for your presence, as uninvited as it may be.”
“Out of respect you have shown for life, specifically yours, I will extend it, pay it forward as your lives may be of service.”
<DM: add in anything else you want about the future work Rezmir may want of the party>
In a contented sigh and huff of hair out her nostrils, Rezmir ends the conversation with the following,
“Before you leave, there is one last nuisance you can remove from my thoughts. There are a number of prisoners kept in the castle that have somehow, been a source of unknowingly unfortunate events. I’ve had half of them, disciplined with prejudice, and yet still guards die. I want the complaints to cease. I will have two guards escort you to the cells and have them removed. Take them with you, throw them over the castle’s edge, I care not.”
Fourguards arrive, each brandishing freshly sharpened longswords, their edges gleaming in the light. With disapproving looks at you all, they take their orders and motion you to start moving, with two taking the lead and the remaining behind you.
The two in lead say nothing during your uneventful walk to the cells. The rear duo are much less silent. You hear them muttering amongst themselves before coming to a hallway where the sounds of a whip cracking breaks the tension in the air along with the cries of agony.
“You hear what happened to Drogon?”
“No …”
“They found his body last night, blood had poured from his ears.”
“Thank the gods. I was sick of hearing his constant whining about the voices in his head.”
“Damned straight. He even said that the voices knew what he was thinking and tormented him endlessly. The voices, he said, knew things he told no one about. He swore he saw his son’s blood-soaked coffin in the hallways, and the screams of the boy’s death when his house was stormed. I wish the voices told him to pay back the gold he owed me. He could have done that at least.”
“He was cursed, that he was. At least the nightly howling has at least stopped. Ha ha”
<grunt of agreement>
As you approach, the pathetic weeping of tormented pain and suffering is now barely audible, the sound of a of woman’s torture apparently over, another guard with a worn and freshly blood-stained whip in hand leaves the cell. A brief conversation between the guards ends and the whip-bearing guard enters the cells. Five prisoners are roughly thrown out of the room, tripping over and landing on each other,
“Get them out of here” the guard instructs you as he holsters the whip, with the sound of revulsion and disgust at the displayed weakness in his voice.
The prisoners, dressed in rags of filth and covered in bruises and blood, all slowly get up and stare at you with fear in their eyes, and start walking with you.
As you leave, you hear another thunderous crack of a whip, The prisoners cry out, wincing and slightly curling up while standing, sniveling in fear.
“Take these.. “ - the guard tosses you several small round stones, the glowing of intricately carved runes muted beneath patches of dried blood can be seen, pulsating, and points to the most wretched of the prisoners. A half-elf woman with greyish skin, signs distant drow ancestry evident. Her hair matted, caked in blood, fresh bruises and cuts indicate that this is the one who was just intimately engaged in a session with the same guard. Her eyes stand out, brilliant emerald green shining with tears streaming down her face, gently cleaning the dirt.
“This one can barely talk, but her screams tell volumes of tall tales of anguish and suffering. She can be understood if you both hold the stones. And I’ve heard so many stories…”
The guard laughs, satisfaction in his craft apparent.
As you are escorted out you can just make out the last bit of conversation between the guard with the whip and the others:
“You finally kill that effing crow that keeps crapping on you?”
“I did.. And I swear its siblings came back to do it again and again.”
“Ha.. You’re fated to forever bathe in bird droppings...”
<DM: escort the party out>
I will introduce myself to them, depending if they want to throw me over the edge of the castle. I will talk for myself at this point. I will point to whoever takes the stones and motion to them to give them to me.
My L7 Path of the Zealot Barbarian just got killed by the party as I didn't stand down while raging and they decided to "play both ends against the middle" between Rezmir the Black and Ralis Kasterel from Horde of the Dragon Queen. We disagreed. I died. Totally justified and in character. No hard feelings.
I'm now creating a L7 SorLock and am having difficulty with choosing spells, and wish to request the kind help from others.
Half-Elf Drow variant L2 Warlock (Raven Queen pact) / L5 Sorcerer (Aberrant Mind Origin)
I've taken the Elven Accuracy feat, and Agonizing Blast/Devil's Sight Warlock Invocations, Quick Spell and Subtle Spell Metamagic options, and Far Traveler background, (skills Deception/Insight/Perception/Persuasion). Use telepathy to stealthily talk, raven to spy (invisibility on raven too if needs be).
The theme is of a traveling assassin for Bhaal. Subtle spell for quick murders of low rank, longer range via Hunger of Hadar, and for more interesting combat use Darkness cast on myself (or object carried), then eldritch blast away gaining advantage (and triggering Elven Accuracy) on the targets. Worse case send in the raven to be killed by target, then get advantage for 24 hours.
As a more "party face-type" of character, the spells I have chosen are for more utility for roleplaying, falling back on more single target blasting combat.
Cantrips
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
I've used blink with another game's sorcerer and it's proven to be very useful. I'd like Fireball, but being able to cast other spells save my own skin more easily seems to be more thematic. Mirror Image is good too,
Any suggestions?
small backstory question for you....how did your warlock of the raven queen end up being a travelling assassin for Bhaal? (assuming this is Bhaal the god/lord of murder).
Spell wise, Shadow Blade and Mind Spike form Xanathars Guide might be useful (Mind Spike only has a Somatic component so saves your sorcery points and enables some tracking abilities as you always know where the target is if they fail a save).
As I am still creating the character, the backstory is malleable. I can always adjust heme of the Aberrant Mind and associated spells to be Raven Queen-themed, death and horror, memories of the forgotten, of tragedy. She views everything through my eyes, and the raven-spirit granted by The Pact. Dispatch the bullies and other evil people, by a neutral evil character, who does it because he is out for money (profit vengeance), and the enjoyment that manipulation brings eventually brings bloodshed.
For instance, Hunger of Hadar creates a spherical gateway of utter darkness, like a partial sharing of space with the Far Realm. Instead of tentacles, you hear the whimpering screams of dying souls, people, sound of ravens cawing, scratching. The utter horror of the afterlife-made-real inflicts cold damage, and the fast movement of time and space with the hyper-timed experience decays everything touched (acid damage).
I've switched Friends to Mind Sliver for the possible silent damaging spell when cast subtly, Int save and negative to saving throw (hit with this before hitting with a party member's spell, Hunger of Hadar or Dissonant Whispers, quickened or not). Still might get rid of that just so I can take Mending.
The last game I played in with another character I was able to easily make some quick coin by visiting the armor/blacksmith and repair broken swords. For outright murder I can use minor illusion to create a booming voice of "Your past actions have come for you", then cast darkness on myself and attack (Devil's Sight Invocation). I can always use Dissonant Whispers for a similar effect, subtly cast.
Yes, I love villains. Here comes Quisling Dupont, half-elf drow from the other side of the world.
I've completed the spells. Mending would have been a little more optimal, but the flavor of Mind Sliver was too compelling.
If you've played Hoard of the Dragon Queen, when the party can encounter Rezmir in her office.
This is where my new character introduction begins:
Rezmir cautiously looks you all over, and a slight smile crosses her face. With amusement and a hint of a tone of satisfaction in her voice, she addresses everyone.
“I see you have taken to reason, at least most of you have.” She glances at the bodies of your fallen, no, EXECUTED, comrades and continues.
“ I appreciate the, let’s say the discipline, you have shown. I will not have you summarily slaughtered for your presence, as uninvited as it may be.”
“Out of respect you have shown for life, specifically yours, I will extend it, pay it forward as your lives may be of service.”
<DM: add in anything else you want about the future work Rezmir may want of the party>
In a contented sigh and huff of hair out her nostrils, Rezmir ends the conversation with the following,
“Before you leave, there is one last nuisance you can remove from my thoughts. There are a number of prisoners kept in the castle that have somehow, been a source of unknowingly unfortunate events. I’ve had half of them, disciplined with prejudice, and yet still guards die. I want the complaints to cease. I will have two guards escort you to the cells and have them removed. Take them with you, throw them over the castle’s edge, I care not.”
Four guards arrive, each brandishing freshly sharpened longswords, their edges gleaming in the light. With disapproving looks at you all, they take their orders and motion you to start moving, with two taking the lead and the remaining behind you.
The two in lead say nothing during your uneventful walk to the cells. The rear duo are much less silent. You hear them muttering amongst themselves before coming to a hallway where the sounds of a whip cracking breaks the tension in the air along with the cries of agony.
“You hear what happened to Drogon?”
“No …”
“They found his body last night, blood had poured from his ears.”
“Thank the gods. I was sick of hearing his constant whining about the voices in his head.”
“Damned straight. He even said that the voices knew what he was thinking and tormented him endlessly. The voices, he said, knew things he told no one about. He swore he saw his son’s blood-soaked coffin in the hallways, and the screams of the boy’s death when his house was stormed. I wish the voices told him to pay back the gold he owed me. He could have done that at least.”
“He was cursed, that he was. At least the nightly howling has at least stopped. Ha ha”
<grunt of agreement>
As you approach, the pathetic weeping of tormented pain and suffering is now barely audible, the sound of a of woman’s torture apparently over, another guard with a worn and freshly blood-stained whip in hand leaves the cell. A brief conversation between the guards ends and the whip-bearing guard enters the cells. Five prisoners are roughly thrown out of the room, tripping over and landing on each other,
“Get them out of here” the guard instructs you as he holsters the whip, with the sound of revulsion and disgust at the displayed weakness in his voice.
The prisoners, dressed in rags of filth and covered in bruises and blood, all slowly get up and stare at you with fear in their eyes, and start walking with you.
As you leave, you hear another thunderous crack of a whip, The prisoners cry out, wincing and slightly curling up while standing, sniveling in fear.
“Take these.. “ - the guard tosses you several small round stones, the glowing of intricately carved runes muted beneath patches of dried blood can be seen, pulsating, and points to the most wretched of the prisoners. A half-elf woman with greyish skin, signs distant drow ancestry evident. Her hair matted, caked in blood, fresh bruises and cuts indicate that this is the one who was just intimately engaged in a session with the same guard. Her eyes stand out, brilliant emerald green shining with tears streaming down her face, gently cleaning the dirt.
“This one can barely talk, but her screams tell volumes of tall tales of anguish and suffering. She can be understood if you both hold the stones. And I’ve heard so many stories…”
The guard laughs, satisfaction in his craft apparent.
As you are escorted out you can just make out the last bit of conversation between the guard with the whip and the others:
“You finally kill that effing crow that keeps crapping on you?”
“I did.. And I swear its siblings came back to do it again and again.”
“Ha.. You’re fated to forever bathe in bird droppings...”
<DM: escort the party out>
I will introduce myself to them, depending if they want to throw me over the edge of the castle. I will talk for myself at this point. I will point to whoever takes the stones and motion to them to give them to me.